Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-09-29
THE GRAND ARMY ENCAMPMENT.
Annual Address Of.Gen. Fairchild, she
Commander im Chief.
GROWING INCREASE IN THE MEMBERsHP-THR Mt.
MGREGoR COTTAGE DoNATIoN-PKNSIoN LEGIsLA-
TON FULLY pIsCUssRp-THE REBEL FLAG INCIDENT.

tanned by the loyal people OF this country. That
this may continue, he earnestly cautioned every
member that he keep watchful guard over him.
self when he acts or speaks as a member OF the q.
A. R, and not unconsciously further schemes
foreign to the legitimate purposes OF the organiza-
ton. Article O. forbidiing the use OF the organi-
Zation for partisan purposes, had, so far as he
knew, been strictly obeyed In letter and spirit.
THE ROLL OF MEMBERSHIP.
From AdJutant General Gray's report ne learned
that the total number OF members borne on the
rolls OF the order at the last national encampment
was 326 49, The number reported June 30, 1857,
was 372614, actual gain IN five quarters 40, 157.
In the last five quarters there have been mustered
June 30 1887, In good standing, 1885, 552: sus-
pended, %, ,o0; by delinquent reports, lO,s90.
1886, TO March, 1887, inclusive, is $685. 1884, 3.
This money was diSbursed TO IL, 607 comrades and
their families, and 1893 Others assisted. CIV
ing 26, Cos individuals who had received benefits
during the year.
GENT LoGAN's DEATH NOTICED
During the year death had claimed 3 4o6 men,
bers. He selected for special notice John A. Lo-
gan, who in life had manifested his love not only
In words but by active public and private efforts
Did any poor, MANNED helpless veteran need an
advocate, did the Grand Army need a defender,
his was the first name that came 10 the lips and
he was never appealed to in vain. The council OF
administration has invested So 600 OF the surplus
FUNDS OF the order In bonds OF the United states.
Memorial day was more generally and appropr-
ately observed this year than ever before This
day-Sacred TO the memory OF the fallen defenders
OF the republicans become a most impressive
and Instructive national holiday.
THE MT. MGREGOR COTTAGE.
letter had been received by him, he said, from
Joseph W. Drexel, Offering In perpetuity the cot
tage on Mt. McGregor In which Gen. L. S. Grant
spent his last days to the survivors OF those gal
liant men who saved the country, the only condi-
ton being that the cottage and the surrounding
grounds be held in trust by the commander-in-
CHIEF OF the Grand Army of the Republic the pres
another TO be named by the donor Gen Fairchid
recommended that II be referred to the incoming
commander-in-chief. with authority TO accept sat
lS1actOry arrangements
THE CHARLESTON EARTHQUAKE.
In September last, when the citizens OF Charles
ton S. c., were suffering from the effects OF a ter
rible earthquake, the Grand Army Joined I'm the
rel1ef He, In company with Acknowledgement
the comrades TO raise money for relief Collections
were rapidly made, and $1,047 was reported. IL
was understood that there was no Immediate
haste and before the collections had gotten fairly
under way the mayor OF Charleston telegraphed
headquarters that no further aid would be re-
CURED. Had the needs OF Charleston required 1t,
he felt assured that 100000 could have been
raised within another month.
IN THE MATTER OF PENSIONS
1t has been an aim OF the order to have Congress
grant reliefof the pressing needs OF the comrades
The Government has responded In many instances
Influence has been brought to bear on State legs-
lation, and State soldiers, and orphans homes,
and laws for temporary relief OF INDECENT soldiers
and their families have been passed. For this
work more than any other has the Grand Army OF
the Republic ltved-thiS more than all else has en-
nobledits lfe-for this purpose the Grand Army
Si one Of It's ems Il % m
memOered The Grand Army, with the approval
OF the people IN general, have enlisted in this
been foremost In these Efforts and never until
this year has IL entered the mtn1 o. any well-in-
formed man to charge that this zeal in behalf or
nnmrQdpS no RI fcop
character The Grand Army Of the Republic will
never consent that this question OF pensions shall
be claSSed among those which men commonly call
partisan 1t has been for many years discussed by
post, department. ndjnational encampments. Reese
lutions and addresses have been adopted and pub
liShed. Petitions and appeals have often been
sent to Congress. The Efforts OF the newspapers
OF the country have been enlisted and. with few
exceptions, they have heretofore been in full
accord with the order There has been no change
OF opinion change OF method in the ranks OF the
the Grand Army members They have been OF one
mind In considering ii but simple justice that
the United states should at least grant a pension
OF not less than $12 per month TO all persons who
served three months or more In the military or
naval service OF the United States during the war
OF the rebellion, and who have been hOnorably
discharged therefrom, and who now or who
may hereafter be from mental or physical disabil-
ity not the result OF their own vicious habits in
capacitated Tor the performance OF manual
labor. This has been publicly advocated, and all
the action, and yet until recently there has been
heard no objection to such measures. Because
others changed their minds the Grand Army need
not therefore change theirs The path in this d.
rection has been straight. The order has diverged
neither to the right nor left. Because the COM
rades need help The Grand Army will be drawn
closer and closer to them. They shall not be the
inmates OF the common pauper'S house, nor shall
their widows or orphans, II the Grand Army can
prevent it. What is asked now In the way or gen.
eral pensions has been asked for years. IL is not
demanding too much Many members are OF the
honest opinion that 1t is not enough favoring a
broader measure or relief which will embrace all
who served a certain length OF time and can show
an honorable discharge, commonly called the
"servtce pension bill" Gen. Fairchild said he was
not here to argue against that as an ultimate
measure. He wished TO do nothing to postpone
the coming Of the lOngcOming day OF relief 10 the
suffering.
THE FLAG INCIDENT.
In conclusion, he said: ''In fraternity, charity,
and loyalty we stand proud OF the fact that there
is not now, nor has there ever been, any bitter
feeling OF hate for those OF rellow-ctiZenS who
once In arms against US, but now being loyal have
long ago taken their old-time places In our hearts
never, we devOutly hope, to be removed therefrom.
We have not now, nor have we at any time since
the war closed, had any disposition TO open again
the bloody chasm which once, unhapily, divided
open that dreadful abyss, but we WILL with the
loyal people North and South, protest against all
attempts which others may make TO do so, by
holding up for especial honor and distinction any.
thing that pertains TO or In any manner glOrifies
the cause OF disunion. With the people OF the
long ago entered upon in the effort to make our
beloved land great and prosperous and IT'S
people lntelIgent, happy and V1rtu0uS. We
Will rival them In eXacting all that pertains to
and honors this great Union, and In condemning
everything that tends to foster hostile senti-
ment thereto. We will rival them In earnest en-
beavers TO tncuicate In the minds or all the citi
ZenS or this country, and especially OF our chill
dren, heartfelt love for the United States OF
America, to the end that present and coming gen.
eratfOns shall In every part OF the land believe In
ana maintain true allegiance thereto, based upon
tuition and laws. which Will lead them TO dis
cOuntenance whatever tends to lessen loyalty In
cites 1nSurrecttOn, treason, rebellion, or In any
manner lmpa1rS the efficiency and permanency of
our free Institutions and VIII lmpe them 10 en-
courage the spread OF universal liberty, equal
rights and justice to all men and TO defend these
sentiments which are quoted from the fundamen.
tai law OF our order, with their lives need De and
to the further end that they shall so revere the
emblemS OF the Union that under no cfrcum-
stances can be coupled with them In the same hon.
orable terms the symbols OF a sentiment which Is
anLagonistic to its perpetu1ty."
The position taken by the commander. ln-chlef
on the pension question was received with great
favor and warm approval, ana the kind but nim
conclusion OF the address and his allus1on to the
South met most hearty response and was greeted
with cheers
"A MONUMENT 10 GEN. LOGAN.
The following was unanimously adopted:
Whereas the legislature Of Illinois has appro-
priated &5O, 900 for the erection Of monument to
has selected OF the public parks Of Chicago
a. the final resting place Of his remains and whereas
the trustees have charge Of the erection Of said
monument have invited the coSperssion OF the Grand
Army Of the Republic Ia TINS nooie enterpr1se there
Resolved That special committee Of seven be ap-
pointed by the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES, who shsu take
canDment the feasibility Of accepting the